Veteran head coach Tom Allman is trying to make sure his team does not get caught up in the hype.

"We just need to take each match as it comes and I think our kids are really focused on doing that," Allman said. "When you start looking ahead, that's when you can get upset by anyone."

Going into a Section 1-AAA match last night at Upper St. Clair, the Black Hawks (10-1, 7-0) had a comfortable two-game lead with three section games left on the schedule. One more section victory would clinch the team's third title in 18 seasons under Allman who founded the program in 1991.

Bethel Park's only defeat in the regular season came against North Allegheny, 26-24, 25-18, 25-17. Bethel Park avenged that defeat by topping the Tigers in the semifinals of the Plum tournament on Saturday, 25-22. Bethel also defeated Norwin in the quarterfinals, 25-22 and District 10 powerhouse Conneaut Valley, 25-20 in the finals.

"When we lost to North Allegheny, we played them well in the first game and then we just fell flat," Allman said. "NA is so good and I'm kind of glad that we lost when we did because it got us re-focused. Our kids were really happy to get them again at the Plum tournament. "

Allman said his team wasn't just pointing toward revenge over NA at the Plum tournament.

"The top five teams [Bethel, Penn Hills, Norwin, NA and Plum] in the WPIAL were all there, so we had no time to look at just one opponent," Allman said. "Penn Hills [which was 8-0 in pool play] was the only top-five team we didn't play there. We would have played Penn Hills, but they got upset by Derry. We had to really play well as a team to win those games that we did."

It was the second Saturday tournament title this spring. The other championship occurred at the Norwin tournament where the Black Hawks defeated the host school in the finals. Bethel Park also finished second in a tournament the first weekend of the season at Maplewood of District 10. The Black Hawks beat the host school in the semi-finals, but lost to PIAA Class AA No. 1 Saegertown in the finals. Bethel Park also finished second in the Seneca Valley tournament, losing to the host Raiders in the finals.

Bethel Park is a mixture of juniors and seniors. The senior captains consist of defensive specialist Nick Thorsen, libero Zach Smith and All-WPIAL setter Joe 'Murph' Irwin.

Senior middle hitters Mark Malone (6-foot-3) and Matt Shannon (6-4) are three-year starters. Joe Malone (Mark's brother), is a 6-4 junior outside hitter who has played quite a bit since his freshman year.

Other experienced contributors are senior outside hitter Mike O'Brien, junior outside hitter Matt Kapusta, senior defensive specialist Chris Ryan and junior middle hitter Brian Kretchun. Also, 6-8 senior outside blocker Pete Bogan, playing volleyball for the first time since ninth grade. Bogan, a basketball player, joined the team as the season started.

"Pete was coming to watch our games and I said, 'If you're going to watch, then why don't you just play?" quipped Allman, a middle school gym teacher in the district who identifies potentially good players for the varsity at a young age.

Bethel Park also has a very good junior varsity and middle school team that has had assistant coaches Henry Muhlholland and Adam Foote helping him for many years.

"It helps your program when you can get that consistency in coaching year after year," Allman said.

Bethel Park has clinched its eighth WPIAL playoff berth in Allman's tenure, but has yet to qualify for the PIAA tournament. A top-three finish in the district playoffs would break the state playoff ice for Bethel Park. However, if Bethel is thinking PIAA qualification, it might as well shoot for the WPIAL title.

"Nick Thorsen was on our varsity basketball team when they won the WPIAL last year, so he pushes everybody and reminds them that you can't get too caught up [in rankings], that you have to concentrate on every point in every match," Allman said.

"Our libero, Zach Smith, is another one of our leaders. We were trailing Norwin 10-4 at the Plum tournament when I called a time out. Zach made this speech in the huddle that got everybody fired up which is why I think we came back to win. I'm not so sure we would have won if he hadn't done that.

"We've reached the finals of every tournament we've entered, but we can't rest on our accomplishments. The most important matches are yet to come."